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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ZNadeem" data-source="post: 217483" data-attributes="member: 40237"><p><h3>Guidance: How to Answer “Why X Firm”</h3><p></p><p>Hi everyone! I wanted to share some key tips on answering the common question “Why X firm?” and how to approach it step by step. </p><p></p><h4>Step 1: Initial Research</h4><p></p><p>Start with a surface-level search of the firm to identify 3 USPs (unique selling points) they are known for that resonate with you personally. These could be culture, sector focus, pro bono initiatives, or international reach.</p><p></p><h4>Step 2: In-Depth Research</h4><p></p><p>Dive deeper into your chosen USPs using:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Chambers UK</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Chambers Student</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Legal 500</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Legal Cheek</li> </ul><p></p><p>Tip: Use the firm’s website mainly for research on practice area or sector-related USPs.</p><p></p><h3>Step 3: Draft Your Answer </h3><p></p><p>Once you’ve done your research and identified your three USPs, start drafting using a PEA structure for each, emphasising your own experiences in the Evidence section.</p><p></p><h4>a) PEA Structure</h4> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Point: Clearly state the USP of the firm you are highlighting.<br /> <em>Example:</em> “I am particularly drawn to X firm’s international focus…”</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Evidence (from your background): Instead of just describing the firm, use your own experiences to show why this USP resonates with you. This could include:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Academic projects, dissertations, or modules</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Work experience, internships, or vacation schemes</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Extracurricular activities or volunteering</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Personal experiences or achievements that shaped your values or skills</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Example:</em> “…during my summer internship at Y firm, I worked on a cross-border corporate transaction, which sparked my interest in international law and showed me the value of global collaboration.”</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Analysis: Explain why this USP matters to you and how it connects to your career aspirations.<br /> <em>Example:</em> “This aligns with my goal of working in a firm with an international presence, where I can continue to develop expertise in cross-jurisdictional matters.”</li> </ul><h4>b) Linking Back to Yourself</h4> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Every USP paragraph should answer: <em>Why does this resonate with me personally?</em></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The firm’s accolade or initiative alone isn’t enough; your experiences should show a natural fit.</li> </ul><h4>c) Drafting Tips</h4> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lead with your strongest USP</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Maintain a clear balance between firm-focused content (to show research) and self-focused evidence (to show fit)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keep paragraphs concise and structured for clarity</li> </ul><p>By framing Evidence around your personal experiences, your answer becomes far more compelling and memorable to recruiters.</p><h4></h4><h4>Final Checklist</h4> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Are you truly answering the question? (Sometimes it’s worded differently, e.g., “What makes us stand out to you?” – adapt accordingly)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Check for SPAG errors</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Avoid being overly descriptive like a brochure – ensure there’s a clear link to yourself</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Remove the firm’s name and see if the answer still clearly reflects the specific firm – it should</li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>

Verification: Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?

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